The Details On Cryogenic Equipment

By Grace Rivas


The word "cryogenic" is not one which most people will use casually in conversation. In fact, you might have to look it up in a dictionary to see the correct definition. In fact, cryogenic equipment is used in many lab and medical research facilities, as well as in food processing activities. Here are some of the details about the category of devices related to super cold temperatures and materials.

Cryogenics is a complex word which originates from Greek language. While Kryos means freezing or cold, Genes means generated. The word therefore means any material which is generated or born with the specific feature of being freezing cold.

The definition that is understood today is applied to certain gases that become liquid form when subjected to precise conditions. Specifically, these gases become liquids when they are chilled to extremely low levels and also under particular pressure levels. There are several reasons why this process is needed.

Several known gases are considered to fall into the cryogenics category. These include nitrogen, helium, hydrogen and liquid oxygen. The boiling point of these elements is set at minus 51C or 60F. Of these gases, nitrogen is the most common because it is plentiful and easy to obtain. To work with the products, a special environment is required.

Research in this field today is available in several areas. There may be a desire to preserve organic substance in the best possible condition. Other research is centered on how organisms react to cold temperatures. Sometimes, cold is used during surgical procedures. There is electronics research being conducted regarding magnet fields and super-conductivity. Liquid gases might be helpful when the study of materials in extreme conditions of temperature is going on. Drastic cold might be appropriate when working with highly flammable materials. Liquid gas might be a fuel source.

One common object used in research locations to handle super-chilled materials is the Dewar Flask. This object was invented by James Dewar who is credited with being the first individual to successfully bring hydrogen to a liquid state. The flask consists of a double wall with glass inside. The second layer helps to protect the researcher from the damage to skin that could occur otherwise. Both protection against cold and a structure that maintains the right pressure are offered by this device.

When liquid gases need to be moved from one location to another in a system, a transfer pump is used. The pump must be able to operate in very cold environments, and usually under high pressure. In order to store and cool liquid gases, pressure vessels are required. Clean air is another need when working in a laboratory environment. Equipment that purifies the indoor air, lab purifiers are utilized. Another cleaning task under cold conditions is accomplished by the use of cold traps. Specially designed valves and seals which fit the tools and containers are also required.

When there is research under conditions of extreme cold, cryogenic equipment exists to ensure that the lab results are accurate and replicable. Because the stresses of temperature and pressure placed on the equipment, high quality is crucial. Safety of the handler is critical and so is the protection of the sometimes costly equipment and processes. When an experiment is conducted under such conditions, it is critically important to be able to depend upon the results obtained in the experiment. If used in a commercial application, safe and easy handling of the liquid gases is vital.




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